24‭ ‬August 1103: Magnus ‘Bare Legs’, King of Norway, was killed by the Irish of Ulster in  battle on this day. 

King Magnus reigned as King of Norway and the Isles of Scotland from‭ 1093 to his untimely death in 1103, described as ambitious, his military campaigns were fought in Sweden, Wales, Scotland, Isle of Man and along the eastern coastline of Ireland. He was described as being very tall with bright yellow hair and bright blue eyes. His grandfather was Harald Hardrata, the Viking warrior king who died at the battle of Stamford Bridge, fighting the English in 1066, and his father was Olaf the Peaceful.

Having formed an alliance in‭ ‬1102‭ with Muirchertach O'Brien, King of Ireland (1086 - 1119), the arrangement being formalised by the betrothal of Siguard the 12 year old son of Magnus to O'Briens' 5 year old daughter, Biadmaynia. The deal was for Magnus to supply man power to O'Brien to assist him in his War against the Cenell Eoghan of what is now largely the counties of Derry and Tyrone. In return Magnus was to receive cattle, to provide much needed provisions for his men as they cruised the coastlines of the North.

Having sailed his long boats in from Strangford Lough,‭ ‬up the river Quoile, and beaching them on Plague Island near to the present day Down Cathedral , Magnus impatiently waited for the cattle to arrive on the agreed day St. Bartholomew's Day, 23rd August 1103. Evening came and no cattle had arrived, against the advice of his commander Eyvind Elbow he decided next morning to leave the safety of his ship and seek out the missing cattle, believing that O'Brien had broken his promise.

Marching along the side of the tidal marshes he came to a high hill,‭ possible to site where Dundrum Castle now stands, looking west-wards he saw a great dust cloud, the cattle were on their way and soon he and his men would homeward bound. Perhaps in a joyous mood and letting their guard slip, suddenly 'the trees came alive,' they had been ambushed, by the 'men of Ulster.' In the ensuring battle that raged across the mud flats of the Quoile Estuary, now in total confusion, the Vikings, led by Magnus were slaughtered.

‭‘The men of Ulster’ were the Ulaid of what today is East Ulster. They were allies of King Muirchertach and it looks like the High King had tasked them with giving cattle to Magnus. However Magnus was a Norse Warrior who was more akin to take rather than ask for vittals for his sea raiders. We do not know but perhaps this was the reason his erstwhile helpers turn on him and his followers and put him to death.

Magnus went to his death like a warrior well armed and prepared for battle:

"King Magnus had a helmet on his head; a red shield, in which was inlaid a gilded lion; and was girt with the sword of Legbit, of which the hilt was of tooth (ivory), and handgrip wound about with gold thread; and the sword was extremely sharp. In his hand he had a short spear, and a red silk short cloak, over his coat, on which, both before and behind, was embroidered a lion in yellow silk; and all men acknowledged that they never had seen a brisker, statelier man."
Magnus before the battle (according to Snorri Sturluson)

Some of the Vikings made it back to their boats,‭ ‬leaving King Magnus and a few of his loyal guard to fight to the death. The Norse King receiving a javelin thrust through his leg and was then struck in the neck with an axe, of which he died. However his famous sword 'Legbiter,' was retrieved and brought home to Norway, but the King’s remains and those of his loyal guard lie in a common grave on the marshes of Down. King Magnus Barefoot, nicknamed 'Barelegs,' is said to have stated that "That Kings are made for honour not for long life," - and he was right in his own case for he was not thirty years of age when he died!